Hitching device



(No Model.)

I. S. G. BONNEAU.

HITGHING DEVICE.

No. 455,031. PatentedJune 30,1891.

ITED STAT-ES ATENT Fries.

HITCHING DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 455,031, dated June 30,1891.

Application filed January 12, 1891. Serial No. 377,549. (No model.

To all whom it Hwy concern.-

Be it known that I, FRANK S. G. BONNEAU, a subject of the Queen of GreatBritain, residing at Worcester, in the county of l/Vorcester and Stateof Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement in HitchingDevices, of which the following is a specification.

The aim of this invention is to produce a hitching device so arranged.that the horses or horse may be fastened from the wagon or carriage, andone so arranged that if the horse starts he will be reigned up andprevented from running away. 7

To this end the invention consists of the device described in thisspecification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Referring to the said drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a wagonwith my device applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a plan of the same, the rearpart of the Wagon being broken away to show the arrangement on the rearaxle. Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of the wagon, the body being in sectionto show the mechanism in the wagon. Fig. at is a section of one of theclutch mechanisms. Fig. 5 is a section on line 13 m, Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is aperspective view of the mechanism in the wagon. Fig. 7 represents amodification.

In detail, A represents a wagon or carriage of any approved pattern. Onthe hubs of one or more of the wheels,preferably the rear ones, areslipped the bushings B. These bushings B are rigidly held to the hubs ofthe wheels by the small set-screws s s in the hub of the bushing, asshown. The periphcry of each bushing has the ratchet-teeth T, as shownin Fig. 5. This bushing B has an inwardly-projecting sleeve 0, which isturned on the outside, and loosely sliding on the same is the clutch D.This clutch D has the spring-pawl E, adapted to engage the teeth T onthe bushing 13. A yoke Y is sprung in place between two shoulders orcollars F F on the clutch D, and the same connects by the flexible bandor strap G to the operatinglever I-I.

Between the yoke Y and the strap G is the small rod K,which slides in abearing L, bolted to the axle, and between this bearing L and the clutchD is a spring M, so arranged that the pressure of the same at all timestends to throw the clutch D toward the bushing B, so that the pawl Ewill engage the teeth T. The straps G pass around hooks N, bolted to theaxle and are both fastened to a single band P, which is fastened to thelever H. This lever H is held in its depressed position by a suitablecatch R, as shown in Fig. 6.

Attached to the clutches D are the straps V. These straps V pass throughsuitable guides Z on the front axle, and the straps have suitablecatches on the ends of the same, so that they may hook into the bit ofthe horse.

The operation of the device is as follows: \Vhile the wagon is in motionthe lever H is heldin the position shown in'Fig. 6; but when it isdesired to hitch the horse the catch R is moved sidewise, and thus thelever H released. The springs M now throw the clutches D np to thebushings B, and the pawls E engage the teeth T. If now the horse shouldstart, clutches D will wind up the straps V, and thus stop the horse.The pawls E allow the team to be backed while the clutches are intheposition last named. Of course the lever H and catch R may be greatlyvaried in form and may be located at any convenient point outside of thewagon as well as 011 the inside. On heavierteams than that shown asingle clutch mechanism only is used and but one strap V, and on the endof the same is the double catch Q, so as to catch the horse on bothsides of the bit. Of course it is understood that the straps may bearrangedso as to engage the bits of a pair of horses. Modifications ofmy device, as shown, may be made by a skilled mechanic without departingfrom the scope of my invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what 1 claim, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

,1. A hitching device consisting of a bushing having ratchet-teeth onits periphery, a clutch sliding 'on said bushing, said clutch having thespring-pawl adapted to engage the teeth on the bushing, a strap fastenedto said bushing, and the clutch-operatin g mechanism, substantially asdescribed.

2. A hitching device consisting of a bushing having ratchet-teeth heldon one of the wagon-wheel hubs, the clutch sliding on the same andadapted to engage said teeth, the strap fastened to said clutch, theyoke spanhing the clutch, the strap connected to the yoke, theoperating-lever, to which said strap is also fastened, and thespring-catch R, adapted to hold the lever only in that position wherethe clutch is free from the bushing', substantially as described.

3. The hitching device consisting of the two bushings B, held on thewheel-hubs, the clutches D, sliding thereon, each clutch having thespring-pawl E, the yokes Y, spanning said clutches D, the pieces K,operating the same, the springs M, tending at all times to throw theclutches into operating position, the straps G and P, connecting theyokes to the operating-lever, the operating-lever and its catch, and thestraps V, wound on the clutches, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

FRANK S. G. l-ZONNEAU.

Witnesses:

Louis W. SOUTHGATE, HERBERT lvlcln'rosn.

